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Degree of Polynomial | Algebra - Mathematics

Polynomial in One Variable

The degree of polynomials in one variable is the highest power of the variable in the algebraic expression. For example, in the following equation: x2+2x+4. The degree of the equation is 2 .i.e. the highest power of variable in the equation.

Multivariable polynomial

For a multivariable polynomial, it the highest sum of powers of different variables in any of the terms in the expression. Take following example, x5+3x4y+2xy3+4y2-2y+1. It is a multivariable polynomial in x and y, and the degree of the polynomial is 5 – as you can see the degree in the terms x5 is 5, x4y it is also 5 (4+1) and so the highest degree among these individual terms is 5.

A polynomial of two variable x and y, like axrys is the algebraic sum of several terms of the prior mentioned form, where r and s are possible integers. Here, the degree of the polynomial is r+s where r and s are whole numbers.

Note: Exponents of variables of a polynomial .i.e. degree of polynomials should be whole numbers.

How to find the Degree of a Polynomial?

There are 4 simple steps are present to find the degree of a polynomial:-

Example: 6x5+8x3+3x5+3x2+4+2x+4

  • Step 1: Combine all the like terms that are the terms of the variable terms
    (6x5+3x5)+8x3+3x2+2x+(4+4)
  • Step 2: Ignore all the coefficients
    x5+x3+x2+x+x0
  • Step 3: Arrange the variable in descending order of their powers
    x5+x3+x2+x+x0
  • Step 4: The largest power of the variable is the degree of the polynomial
    deg(x5+x3+x2+x+x0) = 5

Classification Based on the Degree of the Equation

Based on the degree, the equation can be linear, quadratic, cubic, and bi-quadratic, and the list goes on.

Degree of Polynomial | Algebra - Mathematics

Importance of Degree of polynomial

Case of Homogeneous Polynomial

The degree of terms is a major deciding factor whether an equation is homogeneous or not. A polynomial of more that one variable is said to be homogeneous if the degree of each term is the same. For example, 2x7+5x5y2-3x4y3+4x2y5 is a homogeneous polynomial of degree 7 in x and y.
Relation of Degree of Polynomials with Zeroes of Equation

Theorem 1: A polynomial f(x) of the nth degree cannot vanish for more than n values of x unless all its coefficients are zero.

Degree of Polynomial | Algebra - Mathematics
The above table shows possible real zeros /solutions; actual real solutions can be less than the degree of the equation.

Note: A constant polynomial is that whose value remains the same. It contains no variables. The power of the constant polynomial is Zero. Well, you can write any constant with a variable having an exponential power of zero. If the constant term = 4, then the polynomial form is given by f(x)= 4x0

Before going to start other sections of Polynomials, try to solve the below-given question.

A Question for You

Question: Find the degree of polynomial x3+4x5+5x4+2x2+x+5.

Solution: x3+4x5+5x4+2x2+x+5

=4x5+5x4+x3+2x2+x+5

=x5+x4+x3+x2+5
Degree of equation is the highest power of x in the given equation .i.e. 5.

The document Degree of Polynomial | Algebra - Mathematics is a part of the Mathematics Course Algebra.
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FAQs on Degree of Polynomial - Algebra - Mathematics

1. What is a polynomial in mathematics?
Ans. A polynomial in mathematics is an algebraic expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and exponents. It is made up of terms, where each term contains a variable raised to a non-negative integer exponent, multiplied by a coefficient. Polynomials can have one or more terms, and the degree of a polynomial is determined by the highest exponent of the variable in the expression.
2. How do you determine the degree of a polynomial?
Ans. To determine the degree of a polynomial, you need to find the highest exponent of the variable in the polynomial expression. For example, in the polynomial 3x^2 + 2x - 5, the highest exponent is 2, so the degree of the polynomial is 2.
3. What is the significance of the degree of a polynomial?
Ans. The degree of a polynomial provides important information about its behavior and properties. It helps in understanding the shape of the polynomial's graph, determining the number of solutions or roots, and identifying the end behavior. The degree also determines the classification of the polynomial as linear, quadratic, cubic, or higher degree.
4. Can a polynomial have a negative degree?
Ans. No, a polynomial cannot have a negative degree. The degree of a polynomial must be a non-negative integer. It represents the highest power of the variable in the polynomial expression. A negative degree would imply that the polynomial has a negative power, which is not defined in the context of polynomials.
5. What is the difference between linear and quadratic polynomials?
Ans. A linear polynomial is a polynomial of degree 1, which means it has one term with a variable raised to the power of 1. It has a constant rate of change and forms a straight line when graphed. On the other hand, a quadratic polynomial is a polynomial of degree 2, which means it has one term with a variable raised to the power of 2. It has a parabolic shape when graphed and can have a maximum or minimum point depending on the leading coefficient.
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